O'Mahony 'professional' over captaincy change

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Friday, 8 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds; follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Peter O'Mahony has responded to Caelan Doris' promotion to captain "in the right manner", says Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

Munster flanker O'Mahony helped Ireland retain their Six Nations title earlier this year after being named captain following Johnny Sexton's retirement.

O'Mahony was also skipper for the two-Test series in South Africa in the summer, but after he dropped to the bench for the second game, Doris led Ireland out and has been retained in the role for the upcoming November internationals.

Farrell said O'Mahony has approached the change "exactly how Peter always does, in a professional way, in the sense of that's what leaders should do".

He added: "I've used him many times as examples in the past of how to handle yourself when things are not quite as how you would like them.

"[There are] obviously different permutations with injuries and all sorts of stuff but Peter would be the first one to go up to Caelan and not just congratulate him but help him out as well."

Doris' ascension to Ireland captain follows a similar change at his club with Leinster boss Leo Cullen promoting him in September after James Ryan and Garry Ringrose shared leadership duties during the 2023-24 season.

Naturally, the 26-year-old is being talked about as a candidate for the British and Irish Lions captaincy under Farrell, who will lead the side's tour to Australia next summer.

When asked about what leadership qualities he sees in Doris, Farrell said: "He's popular among the group because there's no ego.

"He's unbelievably diligent in getting his own stuff right. He's professional and come on leaps and bounds over the past four years. He's comfortable in his own skin."

Farrell added: "He's like a sponge, learning from the leaders he's had the pleasure to sit alongside in his international career.

"He's taken it all in. He's calm, he's not panicking, he's taking it all in his stride. That puts everyone else at ease. He's very comfortable at allowing others to lead at the same time.

"On top of that, he's not in bad form, is he?"

Ireland, the world's number one side, begin their autumn series against New Zealand in Dublin on Friday, the sides' first meeting since the All Blacks' World Cup quarter-final win in Paris a year ago.

With five wins apiece from their past 10 encounters, the rivalry is as strong as ever.

When asked if there is a different atmosphere in the Ireland camp, Farrell said: "We all get excited, we're all rugby fans. Friday night game, first of the international season at the Aviva, if you can't get excited about that, we're in the wrong place."